We really need help finding a new mattress. With Covid it is not very safe for us to go shopping for long periods of time. We are 2 seniors, 240 & 155 lbs, both 5’8". We both sleep mainly on our sides, a little back and one sometimes on stomach. One has many pain issues so needs a pillow top or something very soft on top but still very supportive for spine issues. We had a king size Verlo that was very hard to flip but it lasted 30 years before it started sagging too much where we slept. Then one from a local store that the layers started breaking down after about 5 years and the sag was very noticeable. We tried a Saatva, exchanged it for a softer Saatva and finally returned it. Right now we have a 2005 mattress from a friend that had a Saatva topper on it for a cushion that is starting to sag way too much. We are about 90 min from any major stores to try any bed out. Please help.
Hi freespirit625.
Welcome to the Mattress Forum. 
It sounds like there are a number of factors at play here in your search for your ideal mattress.
First, I’d like to address the sagging you have mentioned experiencing on multiple mattresses. Sagging is a symptom of the breakdown of materials in the mattress and this occurs when the materials are not the right quality/durability for your sleeping specs (height, weight, sleeping positions).
I do not know the specs in the mattresses you mentioned, but when it comes to foams in a mattress…for your husband, our recommendation would be:
- Polyurethane foam: If your mattress is one-sided then I would look for 2.0 lb per cubic foot density or higher. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum foam density of 1.8 lbs per cubic foot or higher.
- Memory foam (or gel memory foam): If your mattress is one-sided then I would make sure that any memory foam is at least 5 lb per cubic foot. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum density of 4 lbs per cubic foot.
And for your BMI:
- Polyfoam: If your mattress is one-sided then I would make sure that the density of any polyfoam is at least 1.8 lb per cubic foot or higher. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum foam density of 1.5 lbs per cubic foot or higher.
- Memory foam (or gel memory foam): If your mattress is one-sided then I would make sure that any memory foam is at least 4 lb per cubic foot. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum density of 3 lbs per cubic foot.
It is very likely the materials in the mattresses you have used in the past have not met those standards.
Because of your wide weight differential and very specific comfort and support needs, my suggestion would be to explore the option of a mattress that allows for a side by side split. I would urge you to explore latex, as it is extremely durable, but also because even in softer versions it has a higher resilience and is more “supportive” than other foams, it will also help support the more recessed areas of your body, which is important for side sleepers, especially when addressing something as important as the spine. You can read more here about side by side layering in post #2.
Before making any purchase, I would recommend you read through our Mattress Durability Guidelines, our resource on finding your perfect mattress and the Mattress Shopping Tutorial.
In this day and age, especially with Covid restrictions, it is important that - if you are unable to test a mattress - that you have a detailed conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced online retailer or manufacturer that includes good information about your body type, sleeping style, general preferences and history, some general information about local mattresses you have tested and done well with, and any other specific information or circumstances that could affect your choice of a mattress.
A number of our Trusted Members offer split configurations and deliver nationally, so there is no need to leave the house! They are extremely knowledgable and compete with the best in the industry. If you present them with your sleeping specs, comfort/support needs, and all of the aforementioned, they will be able to help you choose the best fit from their selection for your needs.
I would suggest exploring options with the following…
Arizona Premium
Sleep EZ
FloBeds
Latex Mattress Factory
Nest Bedding
It’s possible I forgot to add someone so definitely do look through our directory as well.
I hope this helps you get started. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
NikkiTMU
Thank you for your time and all the help. Looks like we will be going with one of the following king size mattresses
:
ArIzona Full Adjustable Ultra Plush Latex Sleep System (Blended) medium’ firm with the 3" topper
or
Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid med/firm.
Anyone have experience with either bed or either of the companies?
Hi freespirit625.
It’s great you’ve narrowed it down to two wonderful options.
I haven’t slept on either of those mattresses but I did a forum search to see if I could pull anything useful for you!
This member discusses the Arizona Full Adjustable, Plush Latex Sleep System as “option 2” in their thread here. It has some detailed information that you may be interested in.
With regards to the Nest Alexander Hybrid in Med/Firm, you may find this comment useful as well as this thread.
If you haven’t tried the Forum “Search” function already, use “Nest Bedding” as a search term to find lots of lively consumer chatter and other Phoenix insights regarding the Alexander Signature Hybrid.
I would also throw a little caution to the wind where other people’s reviews are concerned. People often review mattresses far too early after receiving them, and reviews lack specific information about all the variables that can contribute to the suitability of a mattress (like details about the person and the mattress) that would make them more meaningful/accurate. I’d suggest reading about the dangers of making a purchase based on reviews here.
NikkiTMU